Sports
Sportel returns to Singapore, boosting Asia-Pacific sports media ties
Global industry gathers as deals, tech trends and partnerships take centre stage
SINGAPORE: Sportel has made a lively return to Singapore, stitching together the Asia-Pacific and global sports media ecosystem in a two-day showcase of deals, dialogue and digital disruption.
Held from 24 to 25 March at the Orchard Hotel, the event drew 370 participants from over 220 companies across 35 countries, underlining the region’s growing pull in the global sports business. From broadcasters and rights holders to tech innovators and media firms, the gathering had all the ingredients of a marketplace in motion.
What stood out was not just the scale, but the balance. Around a third of attendees were content buyers, closely matched by rights holders, creating fertile ground for negotiations and future tie-ups. With 55 per cent of participants travelling from Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, and the rest from Europe and the Americas, Sportel positioned itself as a bridge between regional ambition and global opportunity.
The presence of major players such as Advanced Info Services, Astro, beIN Sports APAC, Bilibili, CJ ENM, Coupang Play, DAZN Japan, Fox Sports Australia, ESPN Australia & New Zealand, Mediacorp, StarHub and Singtel highlighted the region’s growing strategic weight in the sports media landscape.
Beyond business, networking remained the heartbeat of the event. A welcome cocktail hosted by World Table Tennis and curated experiences such as a tour of the National Stadium and the Singapore Sports Museum added a cultural layer to the commercial buzz.
Conference sessions explored the forces reshaping sports media in Asia-Pacific. Topics ranged from evolving media rights dynamics and European leagues expanding into the region, to the rising economic influence of women in Singapore’s sports ecosystem. Technology took centre stage with discussions on cloud production, generative AI, automation, and the ongoing fight against piracy and cybercrime.
Streaming trends also came into focus, with industry leaders unpacking how personalisation is redefining viewer engagement in a digital-first world. Insights into markets like Australia and New Zealand showed how regional ecosystems are adapting to global shifts.
The event wrapped up with the Pitch Perfect Innovation Contest, where companies including Phygital International, Bitmovin, S.O. Casual Creative, Appear and Layercake showcased their ideas. Padraig O’Donovan from Layercake emerged as the winner, earning a full-access pass to Sportel Monaco later this year.
For many, the Singapore edition served as a gateway into the wider Sportel network, particularly for new entrants exploring international markets.
Sportel Asia executive director Agnès Marsan noted, “Singapore has once again proven to be a strategic gateway for connecting the Asia-Pacific sports media industry with the global Sportel community. Beyond the business conducted during the event, these regional editions are essential for welcoming new companies into the Sportel ecosystem and introducing them to the opportunities it offers, because Sportel is where deals are made, partnerships are built, and announcements come to life,” he said.
As Sportel continues to expand its footprint, its Singapore edition underscores the Asia-Pacific region’s growing influence in shaping the future of global sports media.
Sports
Gujarat Titans unveil vision for IPL 2026 season
Franchise leaders emphasise culture, fan connection and never-give-up spirit.
MUMBAI: Gujarat Titans just raised the bar for IPL 2026 because when a young franchise already has two finals and one trophy in four seasons, the only way left is to aim even higher. At the grand Season Launch event ‘Shubharambh 2026’ in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans outlined their ambitions for the upcoming Tata IPL 2026 season, with a strong focus on deepening their identity, strengthening team culture and putting fans at the heart of everything they do.
Gujarat Titans managing director and director Torrent Group Jinal Mehta reflected on the franchise’s rapid rise, “We are a young franchise, but over the last four years, we’ve built a strong legacy. We’ve reached the finals twice and won the IPL in our inaugural season. We see ourselves as a franchise that believes there is much more beyond the game itself. Fans are at the centre of everything we do.”
Gujarat Titans director, and Torrent Group director Shaan Mehta highlighted the importance of culture: “Culture is at the centre of everything we do, regardless of on-field results. If you don’t function as a unit, you cannot be part of a strong team. It has always been about working towards the team’s betterment and not getting carried away by past results.”
On the responsibility of representing an entire state, Jinal Mehta added, “It’s a significant responsibility, and we see ourselves as custodians of it on behalf of our fans. Sport, especially cricket, is like a religion in our country. While winning matters, how we conduct ourselves as a franchise matters just as much.”
Shaan Mehta reinforced the emotional bond with supporters, “GT is an emotion, and the fans are at the centre of that. Without them, success would not hold the same meaning. That’s something we want to keep strengthening as we continue this journey.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Shaan Mehta promised fans, “At the very least, fans can expect a never-give-up attitude, and they will certainly be entertained throughout the season. The team will play with intensity, and there will be plenty to look forward to as the season unfolds.”
In just four seasons, Gujarat Titans have moved from new entrant to one of the IPL’s most compelling stories. With a clear focus on culture, fan connection and consistent performance, the franchise is ready to write the next chapter of its rapidly growing legacy.
When a team already plays with the heart of a champion and the discipline of a contender, adding “never-give-up” as the official season vibe is less a promise and more a warning to the rest of the league, Gujarat Titans are coming, and they’re bringing their fans with them.
